Change,The Nature of Change,Change is hard Twin research (Lykken & Tellegan, 1996) Affective forecasting (Gilbert, 1998) Cambridge-Somerville study Change is possible Error of the average The exception proves the rule,The Anatomy of Change,Neuroplasticity (Davidson, 2000) Neural pathways (channels) Self-reinforcing Habits as fortified pathways,Healthy and Unhealthy Pathways,Negative channels Positive channels Same trigger, different response Trans-forming the brain,Two Types of Change,Gradual approach Acute approach Neither is quick-fix,“The belief that we can rely on shortcuts to gratification and bypass the exercise of personal strengths and virtues is folly. It leads. to legions of humanity who are depressed in the middle of great wealth and are starving to death spiritually.” Martin Seligman,But do I really want to change? (Langer & Thompson 1989),Rigidity Gullibility Grimness Perfectionism Worry/anxiety Guilt Simplify Fault-finding Happiness,Consistency Trustworthiness Seriousness Drive/ambition Responsibility Empathy/sensitivity Lose edge Realism No pain no gain,A more nuanced understanding of what change,Learning (and applying) Your ABCs,Affect Behavior Cognition Need all three,Happiness =,Genetic set range + External circumstances + Intentional activities (ABC),Affect: Our Emotions,Gradual Change: Mindfulness Meditation,“Cultivating mindfulness can lead to the discovery of deep realms of relaxation, calmness, and insight within yourself. The path to it in any moment lies no farther than your own body and mind and your own breathing.” Jon Kabatt-Zin,“All of us have the capacity to be mindful. All it involves is cultivating our ability to pay attention in the present moment.” Jon Kabatt-Zin,“Mindfulness means seeing things as they are, without trying to change them. The point is to dissolve our reactions to disturbing emotions, being careful not to reject the emotion itself.” Tara Bennett-Goleman,Acute Change,Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Widespread (Society for Neuroscience) Creating new pathways (shock treatment) Post traumatic growth (Tedeschi & Calhoun) Is there a positive equivalent to trauma? Can a single positive experience create a positive channel that will lead to a permanent increase in well-being, calm, and positive memories?,Acute Change Through Peak Experience,Acute Change Through Peak Experience,“The term peak experiences is a generalization for the best moments of the human being, for the happiest moments of life, for experiences of ecstasy, rapture, bliss, of the greatest joy. I found that such experiences came from profound aesthetic experiences such as creative ecstasies, moments of mature love, perfect sexual experiences, parental love, experiences of natural childbirth, and many others.” Abraham Maslow,Peak experience as positive trauma,Post Peak Experience Order (PPEO),“Peak experiences often have consequences. They can do the same there as psychotherapy, if one keeps his goals right, and if one knows just what he is about, and if one is conscious of what he is going toward. We can certainly talk, on the one hand, of the breaking up of symptoms, like the breaking up of cliches, of anxieties, or the like; or on the other hand, we can talk about the development of spontaneity, and of courage, and of Olympian or Godlike humor and suchness, sensory awareness, body awareness, and the like.” Abraham Maslow,Peak experiences can lead to a new brain order,Enhancing the likelihood of PE acceptance mindfulness music and dance meaningful goal taking time Enhancing the likelihood of PPEO replaying and imagining journaling (describing) taking time taking action,Making the Most of Peak Experiences,Behavior: Taking Action,Permanent Change,Attitude,Behavior,Behavior Changing Attitudes,POWs in Korea (Schein, 1956) Cognitive Dissonance (Festinger, 1959) Self-perception theory (Bem, 1967) Facial feedback hypothesis (Ekman, 1983),“Whistling to keep up courage is no mere figure of speech. On the other hand, sit all day in a moping posture, sigh, and reply to everything with a dismal voice, and your melancholy lingers. Smooth the brow, brighten the eye, contract the dorsal rather than the ventral aspect of the frame, and speak in a major key, pass the genial compliment, and your heart must be frigid indeed if it does not gradually thaw.” William James,Behavior Changing Attitudes,POWs in Korea (Schein, 1956) Cognitive Dissonance (Festinger, 1959) Self-perception theory (Bem, 1967) Facial feedback hypothesis (Ekman, 1983) Body feedback hypothesis Overcoming shyness (Haemmerlie, 1987) Fake it till you make it (Myers, 1992),“Those whose deeds exceed their wisdom, their wisdom shall endure; but those whose wisdom exceeds their deeds, their wisdom shall not endure.” Chapters of the Fathers,Dan Millmans Advice on Change,“To change the course of your life, choose one of two basic methods:,1. You can direct your energy and attention toward trying to fix your mind, find y